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Manchester United have officially confirmed the signing of Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez today, with the 24-year-old signing a deal until June 2027, with an option to extend by a further year.
United’s new signing spoke to the club’s media in an interview where he lifted the lid on what fans should expect from him and reflected on his dream move from Ajax.
Martinez talks about his roots in Argentina and the struggles he faced early in his career and how those trials shaped him into the monstrous defender he has become today.
“In the beginning, not so many people believed in me. So yes, it’s hard in Argentina, especially when you’re starting out. When you start playing football, it’s like you don’t think for sure [you are going to make it as a professional]”
“Our culture is very passionate, especially in football. As a player, I left my house when I was 14 years old, so then you have to take responsibility for yourself. At 14 you must be male. Then you have to fight for everything.”
“You have to fight for food, you have to fight for your family, you have to fight for your team. Then you learn a lot: how hard life is.
United’s latest signing also shed light on his temperament and personality. “I’m really aggressive, I like to win, you know? It’s all about winning. I’m a good friend too!” The player’s aggressiveness and tenacity, something that would quickly endear him to the United faithful, earned the player the nickname ‘The Butcher’.
Martinez has revealed his special relationship with new United boss Erik ten Hag, with the pair reuniting in England after a successful spell in Amsterdam in which the pair won numerous trophies.
“I was with him for three years at Ajax and I know his style of play. I’ve gotten a lot better with it, to be honest. Now he is here at Manchester United so he had the opportunity again and for sure he is very important to me [career].”
“How did you do it [Ten Hag] help me improve? In the way we can fully understand situations, decisions on the ground. It is there in every detail. So I think with him every day you can learn and then, in the game, you can fully understand – tactics and everything.”
During his time at Ajax, Martinez remarked: “I’ve played 120 games at Ajax and I’m certainly learning a lot. When I was at Ajax, my first year was when I was 21 and now I’m 24. So yes, I learned a lot. I feel now [I play] with more experience, you understand?’
The Argentina international also spoke about the importance of helping his teammates and how important it is for all eleven players to be in sync with each other. Martinez has already made an early impression on his teammates, with the new signing reportedly set to feature in a friendly against Wrexham.
The 24-year-old praised United’s fans, calling them passionate. “I can feel the fire now, you know?
“I know Manchester United fans – I watch videos and when I watch a game and some of the opinions, Manchester United fans are so passionate. But I like that passion because football is also about it.
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